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​Nose surgery is something that more and more people are considering as a way of correcting a broken nose, or just adjusting the way their nose looks, as well as to correct certain nasal problems. There are two main types of nose jobs - open and closed rhinoplasty.

These terms refer to the way that the surgery is approached, and how the nasal skin is removed temporarily to access the underlying framework.

The way that the skeleton is accessed will make a difference to how easily the surgery can be performed, and will also affect the quality of the results. With closed rhinoplasty, the incisions are made inside the nostril so there is no visible scarring. However, the surgeon has limited ability to work inside the nostril, and it is hard for them to see what they are working on.

With open rhinoplasty, there is a small bridging cut made to connect the incisions made on the right and left nostrils. This cut is just 4 to 5mm in length, but it allows the skin to be folded up, so that the lower part of the skeleton can be seen. This makes it easier to do more detailed work, and prevents distortion of the nasal cartilage.

With open rhinoplasty procedure, surgeons have better access to the whole of the nose and this means that they can do a much better job of re-sculpting it. There is some minor risk of there being a visible scar after the surgery is healed, but many people get through the surgery without scarring.

Open nose jobs are definitely a better option for people who need treatment for things like a cleft lip, or anything where there is complex deformity. In fact, it is widely regarded as the most effective form of surgery because of the additional control and precision. Unfortunately, there are some extra technical demands, and lining up the trans-columellar incision correctly is imperative to prevent visible scarring. If the incision is not reconstructed properly, then the resulting scar could be highly objectionable, especially on those who have darker skin tones. The good news is that surgeons who are qualified to work on noses are usually more than capable of completing closed rhinoplasty work in a way that will heal well, and leave the patient with a nose that they are happy with, and no trace of the surgery.